Hundreds of fresh protests planned against Mugabe

From MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, ZimbabweHARARE, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE, where over 200 protests against the government are planned, is set to come to a standstill between now and the general elections set for 2018

Opposition and civil society groups confirmed the mass protests, starting in the major cities this Saturday, would proceed despite frantic efforts by police to quash them.

The demonstrations against the administration of President Robert Mugabe over the worsening economic crisis and corruption are set for the capital city Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and the ancient town of Masvingo.

The action will be staged under the banner of National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society.

“We are going ahead with the demonstrations, with or without their (police) blessing. We don’t need their permission. We have the law in our favour,” legal expert and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) secretary general, Douglas Mwonzora, said in Harare.

He cited a High Court ruling on August 25, which granted the right to protest despite opposition by police and government.

Transform Zimbabwe (TZ), president Jacob Ngarivhume, said the demonstration would pressure the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to level the playing field. He said 210 protests were planned.

“We are going to continue fighting. We are going to demonstrate because that is the language they understand,” said Ngarivhume.

The electoral system is said to be skewed in favour of Mugabe and Zanu (PF), in power since independence in 1980.